Median rent is 2% lower in Philadelphia ($1,397/mo vs $1,421/mo). Buying is cheaper in Philadelphia, where the median home runs $243,100 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Fresno ($70,991 vs $61,953 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 102.4 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 102.4 in Philadelphia (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Philadelphia, PA
How much would you need to earn in Philadelphia, PA to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Philadelphia, PA
$83,581
You'd need $8,581 more (11% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Fresno
California
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,421/mo in Fresno and $1,397/mo in Philadelphia. Home buyers face a steeper market in Fresno: the median home is $374,800 versus $243,100 in Philadelphia — 35% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Philadelphia
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Fresno averages 53.0 AQI (Moderate) and Philadelphia averages 54.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 102.4).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,991/yr).
Is Fresno cheaper than Philadelphia?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 102.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fresno vs Philadelphia?
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,397/mo in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia, PA has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or Philadelphia?
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $61,953 in Philadelphia, PA. Fresno, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Fresno, CA has better air quality on average: 53.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or Philadelphia?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Philadelphia to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $111,441 in Philadelphia, PA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
